Mental health unit patients' artwork on display

PATIENTS at a mental health unit at Fairfield Hospital in Bury have created a range of powerful artwork which chronicles their problems and experiences.

The ‘Switch off Your Brain’ exhibition has been created by patients aged 13 to 18 on the Horizon Unit.

The work will go on display to the public at Bury Art Gallery from Saturday until September 6.

People on the in-patient unit, which is part of the Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, suffer from a range of mental health problems such as depression, psychosis, eating disorders and self-harm.

The artwork was created during group art sessions held at the unit, which were designed to allow the young people to express themselves, share their experiences and for reflection.

They worked with John Crossfield, Pennine Care divisional art therapist, and Katherine Ashley, a therapy instructor, on a range of projects using video, animation, text and images over a year.

Mr Crossfield said: “The experience of navigating adolescence whilst coping with a mental health problem is explored in this series of compelling images created by a group of young people who wanted to express themselves, share their experience with others and have their voices heard.

“The powerful artwork serves to inform and educate staff, future service users and, through exhibitions like this, the general public.”

The gallery is open from 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Friday, and from 10am to 4.30pm on Saturdays. Admission is free.

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